the president, and the speaker of the house of representatives, john boehner. i want to express my appreciation of my colleagues. i have been a minority. i have served in the minority from 1980 to 1994. it is challenging. it is not easy. we are a 11 days away from going over the fiscal cliff and we feel strongly about the need for this institution to state its position on this. i know we have heard mr. reed indicate he does not want to bring up, if this bill passes, this measure. and the president has put out a policy that this bill would not gain his signature. i do not think anyone is convinced that the bill passing here will be one that will end in agreement. the goal is for work to proceed. and for institutions to stake their position. we happen to believe mr. boehner has made some bold steps. in working to ensure we do not go over that fiscal cliff. we are in a position today where the action and we will take will be a positive step to enhance the chance for a resolution to this. the process is not perfect. i will say this. if you look at what it is that i